EU must back peace builders – Gerry Kelly

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly, speaking
as he led a delegation of former political prisoners to Brussels today, said it
is essential that EU continues to support peace building work.

“We are in Brussels
today to meet with EU officials from the office of the Commissioner for Regional
Policy, Johannes Hahn, on the significant issue of support for former
political prisoners involved in vital peace building work in Ireland.

“This crucial meeting comes after
Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson recently met Commissioner Hahn to lobby for
continued support under the incoming Peace IV funding round for groups
such as the organisation accompanying today, Coiste na n-Iarchimí, the
umbrella group for former republican political prisoners.

“I'm well aware of the challenges
faced by former political prisoners and their families and of the excellent
work done by these groups on the ground, including in my own constituency of
North Belfast.

“It is essential that the European
Union continues to support peace building work under Peace IV in the
coming months and years and the purpose of today's visit is to get that message
across to the decision makers in Brussels.

“I will
also be taking the opportunity to provide a briefing to MEP's today on the
recent Haass negotiations and the need for the urgent implementation of their
outcome.”